Is This BUDGET ANDROID DRAWING TABLET Worth It? Simbans PicassoTab XL Review

I do write a lot about tablets and my own tool recommendations on this blog. And because of that, Simbans reached out to me, mentioning that they make nice android tablets for drawing! And I’ve tested it thoroughly.
This android tablet is made with artists in mind, and after testing it for several days I have a lot to show you, including many pros and cons. So watch the video to find if the PicassoTab XL is a good fit for you.
Get the PicassoTab Xl on Amazon: amzn.to/39VKzHl
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[@DonCorgi]

Hope you enjoyed the video! 🛒Get the PicassoTab Xl on Amazon: amzn.to/39VKzHl

[@punako268]

2023 they made pen bigger, comes with 2 drawing apps. Great tablet for beginners n intermediate

[@nixynixfaux]

THANK YOU! I was getting this for this Christmas and wasn't too sure about the pen due to the reviews being over a year ago.

[@mynameislameso9920]

The part about the pen grip was the most important for me thank you! That’s a omething no one else I watched mentioned. Ive have arthritis issues since 13 and in the three years after leaving school I’ve almost totally lost the ability to draw or hold a pencil for more than an hour without extreme, long lasting pain and mobility issues in my fingers.

[@DonCorgi]

You're very welcome! The pen grip really helps me personally, that and doing some hand and wrist stretches between drawing sessions. So i would recommend doing shorter drawing sessions as well, try to see what works best for you. Hope it helps!

[@PossumMedic]

I've started using clip studio again and every time I get stuck and google the issue your written tutorials come up! 🥰Thank you!

[@DonCorgi]

Ah I'm glad, you're very welcome! There's so much to learn about clip studio, I have to write some more 😊

[@CreativeSteve69]

Thanks for the reccomendation Don. I've been looking for a standalone tablet for me to use for drawing/art lately that doesn't need a laptop to be plugged into for when I'm mobile and not on my laptop where I can use my wacom one. I'm defently going to save up for this one and keep my eye on it. :)

[@DonCorgi]

You're very welcome Steve, glad I could be of help!

[@super_robot_punch]

I just opened mine I’m so excited 😊

[@DonCorgi]

Ahhh I'm happy for you!

[@martinvegas1327]

I do recommend this tablet with the free sketchbook app and bluetooth Tozo T10 earbuds!

[@DonCorgi]

It's a great one! And sketchbook is really good I agree, it's one of the ones I recommend on my article on free drawing software. -> doncorgi.com/blog/free-drawing-software/

[@jc_art_]

​@@DonCorgijust so you know, recently they added an optional purchase that adds many features that were previously not present, it was pretty cheap, and i think it was a one time fee, not sure though. Now it has custom brush options, layer grouping, and several other features i had really wanted lol. Im still not sure how to use the pallete menu, as alot of the buttons just dont work i guess? But the little color history thing works fine, just memorizing the RGB values also works too. Also, im not sure if this is a sketchbook problem or a picassotab problem, but when i see my tablet drawings on any other screen, the colors are completely wrong, like for example a dark blue on the tablet will show up as medium/dark purple on any other screen. I dont know how to fix this

[@DonCorgi]

@@jc_art_ Nice! Great to know about the updated features. For the colors problem, try another drawing software and see if you have the same issues. If there are still there, it can be a problem with your Tablet. Hope that helps!

[@mysterionz]

One of my coworkers got her grandkid this tablet for Christmas.

[@DonCorgi]

Awesome! It's a lovely Christmas present. Any idea if the grandkid enjoyed it?

[@mysterionz]

@@DonCorgi yup! :D

[@DonCorgi]

@@mysterionz I'm glad! 😊

[@CatKnif3]

Thanks! This was the only video that realy helped me and now i own a picasso 😊

[@DonCorgi]

You're welcome! Hope you enjoy it. 😊

[@Aidan706]

How is it? I just bought one and it's arriving tomorrow 😊.

[@DonCorgi]

Have you tried android drawing tablets before? Let me know in the comments! And like this video to support the channel 🥰

[@HitmanJoe007]

I am looking for a stand alone tablet for drawing, ofc iPad Pro is what I see most recommend. I been learning Clip Studio Paint and loving it, can you use it on this one? I was thinking of buying this one first and maybe buy an iPad later, the budget isn't the biggest problem, is just idk if it's worth the investment.... It's my first time seeing you but you seem to have a portuguese accent, am I right? keep up the good vids!

[@DonCorgi]

​@@HitmanJoe007 Hey Rikthor, I understand. You can use any android app on the PicassoTab, so you can use Clip Studio Paint as well! I own both an iPad Air and this Simbans PicassoTab XL, and honestly, I use both. I really love Procreate on the iPad, but the google play store versatility on the PicassoTab is a big point in favor. With that said, keep in mind that Clip Studio is a monthly subscription, while other software such as Procreate is a single purchase. Not sure if that matters to you or not! And yes, Portuguese here! Hope you enjoy the videos 😊

[@PWezuProductions]

Thank you so much for the review and mentioning the grip. I'm going buy them since without it my fingers function slips a line and it just annoys me. I have autism and I used to draw for very long time, but I lost heart of it due of depression. But I'm gonna try get back to it...if you have any tips for me please please don't be afraid...any advice would be so greatly appreciated

[@DonCorgi]

You're very welcome! I hope those grips help, I really love them ( I think it was these ones amzn.to/3GLVy3p ). My general tips are to not try to go for perfection, focus on 1 thing you want to improve at (drawing eyes for example) and just fill a couple of pages with different eyes. Use reference from photos (AND from artists you love!) to practice. Take breaks and do small wrist exercises. And most importantly... have fun with the whole process! Hope that helps, and have fun getting back into art! Thanks for watching the video.

[@theanonymousartist07]

what kind of grip did you use for your stylus?? and the drawing you made in this video was outstanding. I love your use of color!!

[@DonCorgi]

Thank you! I use a grip from Fintie that I bought on Amazon, but it's the same as this one: amzn.to/3GLVy3p just a different brand. It's super comfy, I really like it.

[@hackerquin9490]

this comment is a little late, but is this beginner friendly? and also good enough to use professionally? after doing traditional art for 10+ years im ready to get into digital art and i want something i can use for a long time.

[@DonCorgi]

Never too late! I would say it's pretty beginner friendly if you're used to Android software. Pretty simple to just download one app from the Google Play Store and just start drawing! If you're a fan of Apple, you can always go for an iPad instead, it's also a great option (but a bit more expensive). Both are good to use professionally, the iPad might last you longer though. But for trying to get into digital art on a lower budget, I recommend the PicassoTab. Hope that helps!

[@lolseee]

Does it have keyboard attachment?

[@DonCorgi]

I haven't tried it, but they sell a Detachable Keyboard over on their website.

[@lolseee]

@@DonCorgi thanks so much! Off to do some research 👍

[@DonCorgi]

You're welcome!@@lolseee

[@lambroine]

I neeeeed to know. What type of drawing and animating apps does this hold? At the 2:23 (I think) mark, I saw you using an app that I don’t have on any of my already purchased devices.

[@DonCorgi]

At th 2:23 mark I'm using Clip Studio Paint! Any Android drawing application works in Simbans PicassoTab XL. I've written a post on the best android drawing software (free and paid) here: doncorgi.com/blog/drawing-apps-for-android/ Hope it helps!

[@lambroine]

Oh, thank you so much! I still live with my parents, and they won't let me get any paid apps though. But thank you!

[@DonCorgi]

@@lambroine You're welcome! That list includes both paid and Free apps. For free I would recommend checking out Ibis Paint X . Have fun!

[@magenius_mh2452]

Tried once with my friend it was nice but I mostly been using my ipad on procreate😅

[@DonCorgi]

Procreate is just so good! Which tablet did you try if you don't mind me asking, was it one from Simbans as well?

[@magenius_mh2452]

@@DonCorgi yeah

[@DonCorgi]

@@magenius_mh2452 I see, thanks!

[@averagegiant8359]

Does Clip Studio Paint run smoothly on it?

[@DonCorgi]

I tested it and it ran smoothly!

[@user-hy5np5zh5w]

are you able to connect things like a keyboard and mouse to this tablet?

[@DonCorgi]

It has bluetooth connectivity, so if your keyboard and mouse are compatible with android you shouldn't have a problem 👍

[@selenaj91]

Thank you so much

[@DonCorgi]

@@selenaj91 You're welcome selena!

[@xotaku3690]

Hello what apps would you suggests for illustration and manga comic design? I am very new to this i want to get a tablet to transition from traditional to digital

[@DonCorgi]

Hi! For android the best for manga would be most likely Clip Studio Paint in my opinion. The only downside is that it has a paid monthly subscription fee. If you'd like to just practice with a free software first, I would recommend picking up Krita (100% free) or Ibis Paint X (free with ads). Hope that helps and have fun!

[@samtewee2572]

Might be a dumb question, but can you make pixel art on it?

[@DonCorgi]

Not a dumb question at all! Yeah you can, since it's running android you can install an app such as Pixilart or Pixel Studio and create pixel art there.

[@samtewee2572]

Oh nice! Thank you!

[@DonCorgi]

@@samtewee2572 You're welcome! Enjoy the videos

[@didi7074]

I get wrist pain easily, could you tell me the name of the pen grip you got? Also great review and cute art!

[@DonCorgi]

Yeah of course! It was this 4-pack by MoKo -> amzn.to/3Y4hgXB It has helped a lot! I hope they help you as well. I also have a video on hand and wrist exercises that helped me -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ-WZJiufdyifac&pp=ygUOd3Jpc3QgZG9uY29yZ2k%3D Hope they help!

[@didi7074]

@@DonCorgi Thanks so much! In the last 2/3 more drawing tablets are comming with very skinny pens like the Apple Pencil and I hate them because they are not comfortable for me. I also had no idea we had to do exercises to avoid wrist pain 😅

[@DonCorgi]

@@didi7074 You're welcome! Yes I have the same problem, I'm currently reviewing other tablets that I really like, but their stylus are so slim... I think the solution is really just using those pen grips. And yeah haha, I feel that doing those exercises before drawing and taking breaks to do them during the drawing process really helps!

[@lesliemariedoser549]

Which one do you prefer -- this one, or the Frunsi Ruben one that is very similar to this?

[@DonCorgi]

Good question, I haven't tried the Frunsi Tablet but I noticed that it is a bit smaller than the Picasso (10 inches vs 11 inches) and it seems the battery life on the Picasso is also a bit better (up to 8h vs the advertised 5h on the Frunsi). If I manage to get a Frunsi I'll post up a review. 👍

[@jc_art_]

​@@DonCorgiman my picasso tab runs for only like 5 hours max without charge, and though ive had it for a while, i do everything i can to keep its battery at decent health, but id say one of its biggest drawbacks has to be the extremely limited battery. Maximum brightness with power save mode on, no background apps, connected to pretty fast wifi, just drawing in sketchbook and its drained from 100 to 10 in like 3 or 4 hours, maybe 5 if lucky. Is battery drain tied to the amount of imputs on the screen or something?

[@DonCorgi]

@@jc_art_ Ah that's weird. Battery should be drained according to the use of software, background apps and screen brightness for the most part. Not sure if sketchbook is getting heavier usage with the updates. I would recommend you lower the brightness a bit and experiment with other drawing software to see if it still drains so fast. You can always contact Simbans and see what support they give you. Best of luck!

[@jcessac6084]

Does it support a left handed user

[@DonCorgi]

Yes, I'm left handed and I don't have a problem with it. :)

[@marlopainter8246]

8:40 ---> 4:20 TeeHee

[@DonCorgi]

😂 Nice catch!

[@martinvegas1327]

Is that a Lithuanian accent?

[@DonCorgi]

Haha nope, portuguese!

[@martinvegas1327]

@@DonCorgi Would you buy the XL or the Samsung S6 lite for drawing? Getting either the XL or the S6 for Xmas👍

[@DonCorgi]

@@martinvegas1327 Tough question! Samsung usually has really good products, but unfortunately I never tried their tablets. The good thing about the PicassoTab XL though is that it comes with an artist glove, different adapters, a pre-installed screen protector and a hard case (which is really good!). So if you go the Samsung route, you might need to spend a bit more to get the extra accessories. Hope that helps a bit! I need to get a Samsung tablet at some point to review it better 😊

[@martinvegas1327]

@@DonCorgiTrue, thank you. I think i will go with the XL plus it has that big screen👍

[@DonCorgi]

@@martinvegas1327 You're welcome, hope you enjoy it!